Thermodynamic-Kinetic Decoupling Enables Stable Excitonic Emission in Defect-Tolerant Cu-Based Quantum Dots (opens in new tab)

Colloidal quantum dots that simultaneously offer room-temperature single-photon purity and high photoluminescence quantum yield are sought for quantum optics, but remain elusive in environmentally benign materials. We introduce a thermodynamic-kinetic decoupling strategy that transforms defect-tolerant CuInS2 quantum dots into bright, narrowband, and photostable single-photon emitters. Zn2+ alloying strains the lattice, thermodynamically suppr...